Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40346383›Full record

Trial reportProbiotics and antimicrobial proteins2026

From Gut to Skeletal Muscle: Synergistic Effects of Probiotics and Spirulina Supplementation on Soccer Players' Performance and Body Composition.

Afrooz Samsamy Pour, Mohammad Hemmatinafar, Maryam Koushkie Jahromi, Farhad Daryanoosh, Babak Imanian

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Probiotics and antimicrobial proteins, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 3 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 3 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 3 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Pooled it
  4. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Afrooz Samsamy PourDepartment of Sport Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Mohammad HemmatinafarDepartment of Sport Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran. m.hemmatinafar@shirazu.ac.ir.
Maryam Koushkie JahromiDepartment of Sport Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Farhad DaryanooshDepartment of Sport Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
Babak ImanianDepartment of Sport Science, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Nutritional strategies are critical for optimizing soccer players' performance and body composition. Spirulina, a protein-rich plant-based supplement, and probiotics offer individual benefits. However, their combined effects remain underexplored. This study investigated the effects of co-supplementation with spirulina and probiotics on body composition, isokinetic, isometric strength, and performance metrics in male soccer players. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, forty soccer players were randomly assigned to four groups: placebo (PLA), probiotics (PRO), spirulina (SPI), and combined probiotics-spirulina (PRO + SPI). The PRO group received two probiotic capsules (a total dose of 4.5 × 1011 CFU) daily, with breakfast and dinner. The SPI group consumed two 1-g spirulina tablets twice daily (2 g total), with breakfast and dinner. The PRO + SPI group received both supplements in the same dosing regimen, while the PLA group consumed starch-based placebo capsules. Over eight weeks, participants followed identical training regimens. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included body composition (weight, BMI, fat percentage, fat weight, muscle weight), performance metrics (vertical jump, agility, speed, anaerobic sprint tests), and isokinetic and isometric knee strength tests. Statistical analyses utilized repeated measures and Bonferroni post-hoc tests. The PRO + SPI group demonstrated more significant reductions in weight (P = 0.012) and fat weight (P = 0.001) compared to the PLA group, while the SPI group showed a significant reduction in fat percentage (P = 0.034). Agility scores improved significantly in the PRO + SPI group compared to the PLA (P = 0.001) and SPI (P = 0.004) groups. Isokinetic performance metrics, including average power during knee extension at 60°/s and 180°/s, improved significantly in the PRO + SPI group compared to the PLA group (P = 0.018 and P = 0.009, respectively). Similarly, the PRO and SPI groups outperformed the PLA group in isokinetic measures such as absolute peak torque at 60°/s (P = 0.032) and 180°/s (P = 0.006). Also, maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) improved significantly in the PRO and SPI groups compared to the PLA group (P = 0.001 for both). From gut to skeletal muscle, spirulina, and probiotic co-supplementation significantly enhanced body composition, reduced weight and fat mass, and improved agility and isokinetic strength compared to placebo or individual supplementation. These results emphasize the synergistic potential of this nutritional strategy for optimizing athletic performance and recovery, warranting further investigation across diverse athletic populations.

Indexed as

Athletic PerformanceBody CompositionDietary SupplementsMuscle, SkeletalProbioticsSoccerSpirulinaAdultAthletesDouble-Blind MethodHumansMaleMuscle StrengthYoung AdultBody compositionIsokinetic strengthIsometric strengthProbioticsSoccer performanceSpirulina

Identifiers

PMID40346383

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.